This paper aims to analyze the narratives that have emerged in the process of bureaucratic reform in Indonesia. The analysis is conducted using the Narrative Policy Framework at the mesa level. Using data from articles published in 6 credible national media about “bureaucratic reform” from 2010 to 2023. The collected data was classified according to the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) elements in the article: Issue setting, the cause of the issue, plot, character (villain, victim, hero), and recommendations for solutions offered. There were 31 articles analyzed. The result showed that the main plot in the process of bureaucratic reform in Indonesia is based on the corrupt bureaucracy and the slow public service provided. The victims in the plot are the people who will access the services. The villains of the narrative are civil servants who do not improve the required competencies. The heroes of the narrative are several government institutions (Ministry of State Apparatus Utilization and Bureaucratic Reform, Commission of Corruption Eradication, and The Audit Board of The Republic of Indonesia) that are considered to expose the problem.

The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity for educators and policymakers to reconsider education systems and rethink what is essential, necessary, and desirable for future generations. A sequential generic qualitative approach was used in this study. Based on the systematic literature review, a content analysis was conducted to identify dimensions that contribute toward higher education institutions sustainability. Subsequently, the Expert Opinion method that involved five professors holding key positions in respective universities from Malaysia, the Netherlands, India, and Bangladesh was applied to propose a post-COVID-19 sustainable framework. Four themes: 1) educational reform; 2) digital transformation; 3) resilience and change management; and 4) sustainability coupled with agility and flexibility formed the framework for HEIs’ sustainability during the post-COVID-19 pandemic. We propose that the themes be examined from an integrated perspective to ensure HEIs can be sustainable in the long run. Finally, other scholars are recommended to conduct a tracer study as well as develop qualitative instruments based on the themes and dimensions identified from the systematic literature review and the Expert Opinion Method to better understand the phenomenon of HEI sustainability.

This study provides an empirical examination of the design and modification of China’s urban social security programme. In doing so, this study complements the popular assumption regarding the correlation between economic growth and social security development. Focusing on the economic and political motivations behind the ruling party’s decision to implement social security, this study first discusses the modification of urban social security and welfare in China. It then empirically demonstrates the mechanisms behind the system’s operation. This study proposes the following hypothesis: in a country like China, a change in the doctrine of the ruling party will affect government alliances, negating the positive impact of economic growth on the development of social security. In demonstrating this hypothesis, this study identifies a political precondition impacting the explanatory power of popular conceptions of social security development.

The new oil derivatives transportation scheme proposed by the 2013 Mexican Energy Reform allowed new participants to enter the sector. The new legal framework requires fulfilling many requirements and corresponding duties for the transportation of oil products. The Mexican government already has an institution dedicated to measuring the regulatory cost of each federal procedure. This work aims to quantify the regulatory costs associated with the procedures and their compliance to obtain permits for transporting oil products by truck. We use the standard cost method to measure these costs, considering all associated costs. The results showed that two government offices did not adequately measure these costs. They did not consider relevant information on frequency and opportunity costs, resulting in undervaluation and leading to wrong expectations. As a result of this research, we provide a more accurate way of estimating these costs, which brings greater certainty in the budgeting of these projects and, therefore, increases the probability of survival and success.

Vietnam’s economic evolution presents a compelling case of transformative growth driven by its distinctive historical, cultural, and policy landscapes. Since the watershed Đổi Mới reforms of 1986, the country has navigated the complexities of market liberalization, socialist principles, and international integration, achieving remarkable development while preserving its economic sovereignty. Through a mixed-methods approach, this study delves into the impacts of Đổi Mới, assessing the successes and ongoing challenges in Vietnam’s economic restructuring. Results indicate a remarkable shift in GDP contribution from agriculture to industry and services, with a burgeoning private sector and enhanced international trade and investment. However, challenges in achieving equitable growth, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability remain salient amid global economic shifts. Vietnam’s experience underscores the critical need for targeted reforms in workforce development, economic diversity, infrastructural enhancement, environmental stewardship, and regulatory and financial governance. Vietnam’s proactive stance on economic autonomy and global participation highlights the importance of a nuanced approach in navigating the changing international landscape. In summary, Vietnam’s journey through economic structural reform provides a unique perspective on navigating development within a socialist-oriented market framework, serving as a distinctive exemplar for similar emerging economies contending with the vibrant currents of globalization.